Glitter - top tips and facts to make your products sparkle!

The colour of the paper/ink will affect the colour of the glitter that sits on top

Glitter can go only on top of lamination (if it goes underneath it can make the lamination lift).

It can sometimes scratch off glossy lamination - matt lamination is much better.

Putting glitter on folds (eg: spine of book or wrap-round of a jacket flap) will cause the surface to crack - avoid!

There are two glittering processes: UV Glitter and Stencil Glued Glitter – the latter gives a greater coverage but does rub off.

UV Glitter

Glitter is mixed with UV varnish and then screen printed by hand (or occasionally by semi automatic machine). The UV ink and glitter is forced through the mesh but by the very nature of glitter this can get blocked which means some areas can be thinner on glitter than others. This tends to only cause an issue on very small areas when occasionally the glitter cannot be seen. It might be possible to increase the mesh size to allow more glitter to go through so if you have fine detail you can always ask for this. The glitter sits within the varnish and is therefore visually much more subtle than the stencil glued glitter.

Stencil Glued Glitter

This process can be automated or manual:

►Automated system – the printed sheet is stencil glued (by silkscreen process) and then passes through a chamber with glitter sprayed/spread on. The excess glitter will be sucked off and then brushed away by a roller brush. This gives a more even result than the manual application.

►Manual system – stencil glue applied, glitter applied and then excess shaken off

Using the stencil glued option, the glitter sits on top of the glue and gives a stronger effect but it is easily rubbed off making it more suitable for stationery / gift cards or items with a shorter expected use.